Halfway micropub, The Heritage, now has its own special bitter thanks to former Islander Chris Roberts, who runs the Black Tap Brewery in Stafford

A former Islander who has set up his own brewery has developed a special bitter for Sheppey’s first micropub.

Chris Roberts, who lives in Solihull, and runs Black Tap Brewery in Stafford, contacted Melvin Hopper, proprietor of The Heritage, in Minster Road, Halfway, after reading about the venue in the Times Guardian.

They decided to team up to sell the beer, which is called Sheppey Heritage.

Chris Roberts and Melvin Hopper with a pint of Sheppey Heritage

Mr Roberts, 33, who regularly visits family in Sheerness, said: “We dropped the casks off and stuck around for an hour or so, it’s a really lovely place.

"It needs to settle for a few days before it’s served so it should be available by Wednesday” (today).